One Drink, Five Ways: Rum and ginger beer

Pete's Candy Store | Dark 'n' Stormy

Forget ordering shots and beer: This cozy Williamsburg performance venue serves surprisingly stellar libations like the sweet-tart Honey Cider Martini, the potent Kentucky Root Beer (hello, Wild Turkey 101) and a righteous Dark 'n' Stormy. While an indie-rock soundtrack strums and fresh-faced college grads jostle for seats, a bartender mixes Boylan's Ginger Beer, a belly-warming bolt of rum and enough fresh-squeezed lime juice to keep Florida citrus farmers in the black. Two skinny red straws complete the rocks-glass package. ($9)

Verdict: 2 stars. Hello, spicy flavor, where are you? This mouth-puckerer suffers from a tidal wave of citrus and not enough ginger kick, with the rum lost somewhere in between.

Pete's Candy Store (709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-302-3770)